Origin
Ashland, VA
Morning in Ashland on Friday
Local time
9:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ashland, VA to Alexandria, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
87.7 mi
141 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Alexandria, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ashland, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 87.7 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Capital Beltway (Local), England Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81.5 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.8 miles from Ashland, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 87.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 45m highway drive covering 87.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Capital Beltway (Local). The longest continuous stretch is about 81.5 miles on I 95.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 81.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Capital Beltway (Local). This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VA 54 / England Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 54 / England Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.1 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
VA 54 / England Street
Turn sharp left onto VA 54 / England Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
78.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
8
84.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local) toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
8
86 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
6
86.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 North: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 177B
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 81.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| Capital Beltway (Local) | 2 mi | 2m |
| England Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Patrick Henry Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Patrick Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Richmond Highway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 81.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, VA and Alexandria, VA.
1
Start on this road
68 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp left onto VA 54
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
England Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on VA 54
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Patrick Henry Road
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 95 North: Washington
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
39 mi
·
42 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95; US 17
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
8
Merge onto I 95
35 mi
·
41 min
·
I 95
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 95
Toward I 95 North, I 495 East: Baltimore
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 177B
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria
13
Merge onto US 1
440 ft
·
8 sec
·
Richmond Highway
14
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Patrick Street
15
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.8 miles from Ashland, VA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.8 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ashland, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ashland, VA
This is one driving day of about 87.7 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Ashland, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 81.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.8 mi from Ashland, VA · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.8 miles from Ashland, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.5 miles.
Arriving in Alexandria, VA
The final approach into Alexandria, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.71 one way
$27.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.00 | $29.99 |
| premium | $4.70 | $16.23 | $32.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.36 | $38.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.3 | 0 | $9.21 | $4.21 |
| Efficient EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.67 | $3.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.28 | $5.61 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Morning in Alexandria on Friday
Local time
9:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Rain Showers
NW 6 to 13 mph
33% chance
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 45m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ashland, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 87.7 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Capital Beltway (Local), England Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.8 miles from Ashland, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 54 / England Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.1 miles (I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Ashland, VA to Alexandria, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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